The View Up Here

Remnants of the previous occupant's life are still present in this apartment, despite the makeover. The artifacts of his journey of self-development are still kicking around:  his Korean language books (now on my shelf, for which I am grateful) and a stack of emergency first response and CPR books still on the floor of my office.  In the entrance way cabinet, a drawerful of cords, tools, tape, even a soldering gun. Many power strips that he must have used for his gaming set-up. He also left a monitor here, which I'm using at this moment. In fact, that monitor has made it possible for me to replicate, more or less, my office set up from my last home. I just needed speakers and a desk fan to outfit my desk for writing and working (and watching videos). I bagged up several handfuls of redundant flatware and cooking utensils. I found some pillar candles, which I have put to good use.  I wonder sometimes how he is (I met him for one day to help me learn the ropes at the academ...

I have been trying to post something for over a month, now. I start typing, then I need to finish later, and then a week goes by. So I have re-written this three times, now. Today, I'm posting it no matter what! In my last post, I wrote about living in a transient space, a hotel room, for twelve days. I moved into my apartment on February 22, so I've been in here for about 5 weeks, now. The academy directors had re-wallpapered every room (wallpaper is used on walls and ceilings, whereas Americans would use paint), replaced the appliances, and added just a couple pieces of new furniture. Since then, I have brought in a Korean-style low table, several accessories for my desk and the shelves in my bedroom, and of course, I've started my apartment garden. The place is starting to feel like home.   Quicksilver days The teaching continues to go well. I'm amazed how fast the day goes with shorter class periods. At first, seven classes seemed daunting, but I've found the d...

Fairport, NY I have long held a fascination with liminal spaces. I know it was a trending thing online with clipping videos and creepy pictures of empty offices, but my interest goes far back to my childhood, probably fueled by The Twilight Zone's "The After Hours"  episode.  The mall at closing when there are hardly any shoppers, the gates are down on many stores, and the music echoes in empty spaces. Or train tracks at night with ghostly lights waiting for the next train. Storage facilities with security lights showing you the place you aren't allowed to enter. School hallways during summer vacation.  You know, that kind of thing. Temporary digs  However, living in a liminal space isn't as cool, nor does it promote some vague, quasi-nostalgic, pleasant-yet-edgy response.  Such is my current living situation, albeit temporarily. "But Elena, you're in Korea!" Yes, I'm in Korea, but I'm also staying in a hotel for another week until the apartm...

not an ad for Delta Today is my first full day in Ulsan, my new home. And by "new" I mean the 2nd time around. I lived here from 2002-2003 and visited twice more. Then in 2024, I made a pilgrimage to the sites of the Korean Catholic martyrs  which included a week in Ulsan. It was then that I realized I could easily call this place home. (You can read about my Korea Dreambus film screening here!) The process of getting ready to apply for a visa began months before I even had a job offer. The job search was also months long, and the position I accepted came out of the blue. I'd applied for several teaching positions at a variety of institutions and programs, and even interviewed for two university jobs. None of that worked. But the job I took was exactly where I want to be, and although it's teaching in a hagwan (private after-school academy), the conditions are exemplary and the couple that owns the academy are solid. So here's a bit of a rundown on the last 48 h...

I haven't blogged here at all in the last year because I've been over on my  Korea Dreambus: A Journey of Faith blog . As I stare into the last two hours and twenty minutes of 2025, I'm filled with gratitude and amazement. This past year has brought so many new beginnings and opportunities that I need to mark them down in one place. I am extremely fortunate to have been awarded grant money from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts for my documentary film on my pilgrimage to the holy sites of the Korean Catholic Martyrs. Korea Dreambus is now just about done with a few minor edits and some sound work to go. I worked with two different editors, which was a challenge but which ultimately enriched the project. My public screening will be held on Jan. 17, 2026 at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry.   We screened SOULED , my short film, in April of this year in Elmira. It was a great turnout, and I was so excited to finally share it. The film was a se...

When God’s timing doesn’t seem to match our own, it can feel frustrating, maybe even like we’ve been abandoned by God. A good father doesn’t abandon his own, does he? In those moments, we must look to the promises God has made through his Word. Second week of Advent He promised that he is always near to us: “Our God is near us whenever we pray to him” (Deuteronomy 4:7) and “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (Jn 14:23). Feeling crushed by the weight of circumstances, waiting for the solution to come or the resolution to be made clear, we can sometimes tighten our grip on the situation. However, the exact opposite is called for: to loosen our grip and surrender everything to Christ, trusting that he is with us, as he promised, “to the end of the age.” If we wait for his perfect timing, will will draw closer to him. And his solution is always so much more perfect than anything we could come up with! As ...